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SATURDAY, MARCH 26 Ontario's Muscles BY LLOYD PERCIVAL CIENTISTS say, "To solve a problem you must first understand its nature in clear, concise terms." This should be the first step taken by the Ontario Government officials saddled with the responsibility of getting the new provincial fitness program on the road. According to re- ports, the Honourable M. B. Dymond, M.D., the Minister of Health, has already started an evaluation. I hope the Minister will make a point of collecting his data from a truly representative group of those al- ready active in the field. This would include elementary, high school and college physical education personnel; recreation directors; YMCA and YWCA staff experts; Boys' Club officials; independent groups and individuals of experience and authority. Another prime need is a careful study of what other countries have been doing to solve their fitness prob- lems. It would also be advantageous to explore the reasons why Canadian fitness standards are so low when compared to Australia, Russia, Britain, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. There is no point in developing a program that although technically sound would fall flat on its face because it could not be sold to the public. Most certainly, since Canadians dislike and fear even the slightest hint of regimentation, the program must have no hint of compulsion. Dr. Dymond has said that the intention is to first organize an improved fitness program in Ontario schools. This is an excellent starting point, especially if a priority is given to the elementary school phase of the program, since physiologists agree that it is between the ages of 6 and 14 that most can be achieved in building a strong and efficient organism. Our elementary school children should be given priority attention since average parents have little sense 'of urgency concerning the actual physical fitness of the children. They are generally content if the child is free from disease and cleans his teeth three times per day. There is not enough recognition of the fact that trying to get through life with an inadequate physique is some- thing like trying to cross Lake Ontario in a leaky canoe. It is particularly necessary that we give far more importance to muscle fitness than has been done so far. Many of our school authorities, especially in Toronto, feel that muscle fitness is not important and that health education and normal sports activity is all that is re- quired. This philosophy is dangerous since, after all, the 'main object of any xffective fitness program should be the building of strong, flexible bodies, high in stamina and energy. Sports are certainly important and should be given a key role but the fact remains that sports participation does not necessarily build the body and it certainly does not correct posture defects or develop an exercise habit. When there is a general muscle fitness phase to a physical education program you find only a compara- tively few youngsters going into sport. Those who do are those who have been blessed by nature with strength and energy. This is why they are attracted to sports. But the great majority of youngsters are physically sub- standard and unless given fitness training will not get into sport but will turn to activities requiring little if any physical effort. It is not the physically active youngster, already playing games successfully, who should be our concern but the vast numbers of physically sub-standard children. ONTARIO TODAY PAGE . FIVE Greet the Spring with a new suit of wonderful British wool. A suit that naturally breathes the heat away. The new patterns and col- ours of these distinctive, quality, lightweight suitings will escort you through the summer with cool dignity. Available at all good stores and tailors SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL wWOooL TEXTILE EXPORT CORPORATION PP CP PT Ta Tw